The Vatican has revealed that in his final words, Pope Francis praised his healthcare assistant for helping him visit with worshippers in St. Peter’s Square before his death on Easter Monday at 88.
A statement from the Vatican’s press office said that the Argentine pope was nervous about boarding the popemobile so that he could ride among the crowd of thousands who had gathered on Easter Sunday outside Saint Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis said to his loyal healthcare assistant Massimiliano Strappett, “Do you think I can manage it?”
After the successful outing, he told Strappetti, “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.”
Pope Francis then rested, had a quiet dinner, and in the morning hours on Monday, he passed away.
Among Pope Francis’ last words were “thank you” to his personal nurse, for encouraging him to greet crowds in St. Peter’s…
